AP Computer Science 💾

Info:

Computer Science Principles is a class to take if you want to start/learn about coding. The whole class revolves around coding apps and debugging apps that you are given. It starts out slow, but it picks up by the second semester. There isn't that much homework if you use the time you are given in class, and follow the lessons.

Summary:

- Most of the work consists of material from the site code.org

-Very Independent minded (you don't get that much help on the things you are doing)

-All of the coding is in code.org, so you don't have to learn other methods of coding like python

- Some of the work is a little tedious

- Known to be one of the easiest ap courses

-At the end of the class, you need to make a "artifact" that is using everything you've learned, so you need to retain a bit of knowledge

Tips:

-Be ready to use code.org a bunch because that's what the whole class is taught around

-If you ever get stuck on a lesson or app, you can usually find the answers on YouTube videos by Mr. Kaiser, and Code Kurs Course :)

Info:

Computer Science A is a class to take if you want to get more serious about programming as a possible career choice. The class is taught in Java (coding language) and revolves around coding projects and understanding basic programming concepts. The class is moderately fast-paced, so be sure to understand the concepts early on so that you do not get thoroughly confused later on in the year when you are taught more complex concepts based on the earlier ones. There isn't that much homework usually, but there are sometimes large projects that can take up to 8h to complete. However, this is not as bad as it sounds since you have time to work on it in class sometimes and you have around 2-3 weeks to finish the project, so if you split up the work into different days, it can be finished easily.

Summary:

- Most of the work consists of material from the site https://runestone.academy/ or we do projects on the browser-based coding environment, https://replit.com/

-We are encouraged to work together and help each other on projects and assignments (however, copying is not allowed)

-All of the pure coding projects that we do are in replit (link above), so it is completely text-based (using Java).

- Some of the work is a tedious

- Since CSP / Intro to Programming are the prerequisites, you should have a decent foundation in programming concepts; this class builds off of those concepts and goes more in-depth

Tips:

-If you want to start off the year strong, begin learning Java in the summer. The best way to get better at programming is actually making projects by yourself, so be sure to not only learn the concepts but also engage and use the concepts that you have learned.

-Do not be afraid to ask for help from peers or the teacher